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Deb Jordan to helm hospital foundation

Two-year head of Community Center takes lead position at USC-Verdugo Hills.

La Cañada Community Center executive director Deb Jordan, left, pictured with Wendy Hobbs, right, at a birthday party for Hobbs at the Community Center. Jordan will be leaving her post at the Community Center for a position with the USC-Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation.
(Courtesy of the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge / July 30, 2014)

Sara Cardine Signature

After two years as executive director of the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, Deb Jordan will leave to take a position with the USC-Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation.

Starting Aug. 25, Jordan will become executive director of the hospital's foundation, the fundraising arm of the Glendale facility purchased by the USC's Keck Medical Center in 2012.

Her last official day of work in La Cañada will be Aug. 23.

In the meantime, Jordan said she hopes to work with the community center's board of directors in her remaining time to find the best replacement.

"It's our hope we can find someone quickly, someone who understands the community here and who can jump right in," Jordan said. "I really do want to make sure we find a good person."

Jordan, a La Crescenta resident, came to the helm of the organization in June 2012. She was charged with the task of increasing fundraising for the center through its Thanksgiving Day Run, Casino Night and ceramics sales, so badly needed upgrades to the facility could be made.

"She's done great things for the community center and has done a lot," Ara Aslanian, chairman of the nonprofit's board of directors, said last week. "We hope to keep that momentum going."

In May, Jordan compiled a list of improvements made during her tenure, including the building of a new roof, and led La Cañada Mayor Mike Davitt on a tour that highlighted the positive changes.

Davitt said he's confident Jordan's placement will walk into a solid working environment poised for further growth.

"I believe Debbie has stabilized the center and has grown many programs and events over the years as executive director," Davitt said. "Her leadership has proven to be a good fit for the center and the city."

Jordan brought 20 years of nonprofit experience to the La Cañada position. She served as executive director of the Asia Society Southern California, which promotes cultural understanding between people in Asia and the United States, and before that worked for the Milken Institute and the Milken Family Foundation for a combined 15 years.

Born and raised in Glendale, Jordan said she's always had a soft spot for Verdugo Hills Hospital, which she identified as her own neighborhood hospital. When she saw the foundation's posting for an executive director, she jumped at the chance.

"I never really thought I would leave (the community center) but this is a great opportunity for me," Jordan said. "I can't wait to start."